Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers were involved in a physical exchange late in the second quarter of Thursday night’s game. The Wings defeated the Fever 91-85.
With less than 10 seconds remaining in the half, Clark had the ball. The Wings had a foul to give. Bueckers, who was defending Clark, reached out and grabbed Clark’s left arm in an attempt to stop the possession. Officials did not immediately blow the whistle. Bueckers maintained contact until the foul was called.
Clark reacted by pulling her arm free and throwing the ball down the court. She appeared frustrated. Cameras captured Bueckers gesturing and saying “calm down” to Clark as the two players separated. No technical fouls were issued on the initial play. Bueckers was assessed a common foul.
The tension carried into the third quarter. Bueckers later received a technical foul after arguing with an official following another foul called on her involving Clark.
Clark finished the game with 10 points on 4 of 15 shooting, four rebounds and a team-high nine assists. Bueckers recorded 13 points on 5 of 16 shooting, eight assists and six rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 37 points. Arike Ogunbowale scored 32 points for the Wings.
The game marked the final regular season meeting between the two teams. Dallas took the season series 2-1. Both clubs remain in contention for playoff positioning as the regular season winds down.
Neither Clark nor Bueckers spoke to reporters after the game. The sequence added another competitive moment to the ongoing matchups between the two young guards.
